Question

Integer Pointers Program and Analysis

Demonstrate an understanding of basic C++ programming concepts by completing the following:

• Program: Create a C++ program that asks the user to enter three integer values as input. Store the values into three different variables. For each variable, create three integer pointers that point to each value. Display the contents of the variables and pointers. In your program, be sure to use the new operator and delete operators to management memory.
• Program Analysis: Given your program implementation, discuss and identify the possible security vulnerabilities that may exist. If present, discuss solutions to minimize the vulnerabilities. Discuss and identify possible problems that can result in errors when using integer pointers. Your analysis should be 1-2 pages in length.

Answer 1

Hello,

Please go through code and output.

CODE:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
   int v1 = 0, v2 = 0, v3 = 0; // initialize variables
   int *p1 = NULL, *p2 = NULL, *p3 = NULL; // initialize pointers
   cout << "Enter three integer values: " << endl; // ask user to enter number
   cin >> v1 >> v2 >> v3;
/* give memory to pointers */
   p1 = new int[1];
   p2 = new int[1];
   p3 = new int[1];

/* assign value to pointers */
   p1[0] = v1;
   p2[0] = v2;
   p3[0] = v3;

/* print value */
   cout << "v1 : " << v1 << endl;
   cout << "v2 : " << v2 << endl;
   cout << "v3 : " << v3 << endl;
   cout << "p1 : " << p1[0] << endl;
   cout << "p2 : " << p2[0] << endl;
   cout << "p3 : " << p3[0] << endl;

/* delete allocated memory */
   delete p1;
   delete p2;
   delete p3;

}

OUTPUT:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this program, we can see some of the problems can occur if we will not handle it.

1. p1, p2, p3 should allocate memory before assign value to it.

if we will not do it. segmentation fault will occur.

2. If we assign memory to pointer it should be free also.

If this not happen memory leak problem will occur.

3. after deleting the memory we need to assign null to the pointer.

If this will not happen sometime that pointer will still be pointing to that address and program will behave differently.